502. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will provide an update on plans to increase the number of dedicated reading schools and reading classes in north Dublin in view of the shortage of places for children with dyslexia; the rationale for requiring families to hold a National Council for Special Education eligibility letter from the previous year before applying; whether she…
Parliamentary questions
Questions
TDs ask ministers questions to get answers on the record, most of them in writing. Here is every one asked in the 34th Dáil, by the department it went to and the subject heading it was filed under. How questions work
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1,046 questions match, newest first.
503. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department provides funding or programme supports to schools that utilise external sports facilities; the alternative arrangements available where access to such facilities changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14337/26]
504. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students in counties Wicklow and Wexford currently holding a place on two or more school lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14341/26]
505. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason she is redesignating special schools that cater for children with learning disabilities; the supports that will be made available to students with learning disabilities who are forced to attend mainstream schools due to a lack of spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14342/26]
506. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students entering secondary level education, who have learning disabilities, have been informed that they do not have a school place in a special needs school or class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14343/26]
507. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason her Department decided to redesignate students with learning disabilities from special needs schools to mainstream schools; the number of special school places that have been revoked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14344/26]
508. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether mandatory specialist autism training is required for all teachers and principals in schools operating autism classes; if not, the reason for same; and whether she will commit to introducing mandatory, up-to-date training for all staff working in autism classes. [14364/26]
509. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary and post-primary teachers who completed NCSE “Introduction to Autism” training in each of the past three years; the number who applied but did not receive a place; and whether additional training dates and capacity will be provided. [14365/26]
510. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current number of psychologists employed by NEPS; the average waiting time for assessment; the number of schools limited to a capped number of referrals per year; and the steps being taken to expand NEPS capacity to ensure timely assessments for younger children. [14366/26]
511. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children recorded as experiencing school refusal where autism, ADHD or other neurodivergent conditions are identified as contributing factors; and the targeted supports available to such children and their families. [14367/26]
512. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure autism classes are adequately resourced and staffed with appropriately trained personnel; and whether inspections assess specialist knowledge and implementation of evidence-based supports. [14368/26]
513. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an evaluation of Oíche na hÓige has taken place; if it will be an annual event; if a date has been set for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14376/26]
514. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the learnings obtained from the evaluation of Oíche na hÓige in terms of community awareness and participation; the way in which the 2026 iteration address geographic and sectoral gaps and accessibility for marginalised groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14377/26]
515. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the ongoing needs of Ukrainian young people will be met within existing lines (UBU, LYCGS, YSGS) without displacing current service users given the dedicated migrant integration subhead has been discontinued; the supports available for other migrant populations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14378/26]
516. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention preschool classes for autistic children in mainstream schools and special schools that are being redesignated as primary autism classes-other special classes for the 2026-27 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14381/26]
517. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14388/26]
518. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the State agencies within her Department that have made provision for the pension auto enrolment payment as part of their allocation to funded organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14406/26]
519. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of special education needs class places available in primary and post-primary schools nationally in the current school year; and the number of places that remain unfilled; and the measures being taken to ensure sufficient SEN places for children outside of their catchment area. [14419/26]
520. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of special education needs class places available in primary and post-primary schools in Westmeath in the current school year; and the number of places that remain unfilled; and the measures are being taken to ensure sufficient SEN places for children outside of their catchment area. [14420/26]
521. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who have been refused a place in an SEN class due to oversubscription, broken down by county; whether waiting lists are maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14421/26]
522. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria and provision for one-to-one support in mainstream classes for children with additional needs; the number of children currently receiving such support; and whether there are plans to expand this support to ensure inclusion for children who cannot access a dedicated SEN class. [14422/26]
523. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the NCSE can provide accurate, up-to-date data on the number of SEN class places available nationally; if not, the reason for this lack of data; and the steps being taken to improve transparency and accessibility of such information for parents and schools. [14423/26]
524. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports and interventions in place for children who require SEN placements but live outside the catchment area of schools with available SEN classes; and whether additional funding or provisions are being considered to ensure equitable access. [14424/26]
525. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 12 February 2026, if she will address specifically the funding gap between special classes at primary level and post primary level. [14478/26]
526. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she will approve and release funding for a permanent school building for a school (details supplied); and the steps her Department is taking to address the substandard temporary accommodation currently housing the school. [14499/26]